Vernon Hills Park District considers property sale

Except for the sign out front, you wouldn’t notice any difference between the building at 8 Greenvale Road and the rest of the homes in the Deerpath subdivision.

For decades, it has been a Vernon Hills Park District facility, most recently hosting a cheerleading class and a music class for tots. But its usefulness has run its course and the district is considering putting it up for sale.

The park board at its regular meeting beginning at 6:30 p.m. Thursday will consider a resolution to sell the Deerpath Center. The meeting is at the Laschen Community Center, 294 Evergreen Drive.

“The Deerpath Center is a facility that was purchased by the park district back in 1980. It was a model home built in the late `70s,” said Executive Director Jeff Fougerousse.

At the time, the park district was much smaller and didn’t have the Sullivan or Laschen community centers.

“Here we are 30 years later and the need is significantly reduced,” Fougerousse said.

The two remaining programs hosted there occupy a few hours a week a few days a week, a schedule that’s been consistent for several years, he added.

“It’s still in very good shape. It’s a nice building.”

The building is handicapped accessible and has a relatively new roof and siding but would require a “pretty significant” investment to convert it for use as a single-family home, Fougerousse added.

If the decision is made to proceed, the building will be declared unusable as a park district facility. Eventually a sealed bid sale will occur, probably near the end of summer.

Fougerousse said the district spends $15,000 to $20,000 to maintain the facility.

“That doesn’t add up,” he said.

Also on Thursday, the park board will hold a special meeting at 7:30 p.m. to discuss an update of the master plan.